12-Day Rwandan Safari

Overview

This twelve-day safari will take you to some of Rwanda’s most amazing destinations. Hike through Nyungwe Forest National Park and search for the elusive mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Enjoy all that Rwanda has to offer from Kigali to Musanze!

Day 1: Kigali

You will be met and greeted by your Jewel safaris driver guide upon your arrival at Kigali International Airport. He or she will brief you on your safari before transferring you to your hotel for your overnight stay in Kigali. Relax at your hotel.

Main Destination: Kigali

Accommodation:

2000 Hotel

Mid-range hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Day 2: Kigali – Nyungwe Forest National Park

After early morning breakfast, you will drive into the Nyungwe Forest. On the way you will visit Nyanza King’s Palace, the national museum of Butare, and the genocide memorial of Murambi. Nyanza was the headquarters of the ancient Rwanda Kingdom before the arrival of the Europeans. The compound features the tastefully decorated modern palace built by King Mutura in 1934.

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP, Meals & Drinks:

All meals included, Drinks not included

Day 3: Nyungwe Forest National Park, 12-Day Rwandan Safari

After breakfast, you will enter the Nyungwe Forest to track the Nyungwe Colobus monkey. A walk into the forest with our knowledgeable guides well versed in botany, ornithology, and inter species relationships will be a whole new learning experience for you. You will return to the guest house for lunch and have your overnight at the hotel.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 4: Nyungwe Forest National Park

Today will be your second day in the Nyungwe Forest. In the morning, you can either opt for the Nyungwe canopy walk or a nature walk to the waterfalls. After lunch, you will visit the Colobus monkeys darting through the trees. Your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Main Destination: Nyungwe Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Nyungwe Top View Hill Hotel

Mid-range hotel located just outside Nyungwe NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 5: Nyungwe – Kibuye

Early in the morning, you will head to Kibuye via Gisakura, a five-hour journey. Along the way, you will enjoy the thousands of beautiful green hills that make up our country as well as views of Kivu Lake. Your overnight stay will be at the Betania Guest House.

Main Destination: Kibuye (Town)

Accommodation: Cormoran Lodge

Mid-range lodge located inor near Karongi

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 6: Kibuye – Gisenyi

Today you will transfer to Gisenyi by speed boat or vehicle (the choice is yours). Along the way, you will explore the wonderful views of the different islands along Lake Kivu and some of the Congolese hills. Your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Main Destination:

Gisenyi (City)

Accommodation: Lake Kivu Serena Hotel

Luxury hotel located in or near Rubavu

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 7: Gisenyi

You will spend part of the day relaxing and swimming at Kivu Serena Beach. After breakfast and your time at the beach, you will drive to Musanze, the base town for visiting mountain gorillas. Enjoy a visit to the Ibyiwacu cultural village and then overnight at the Hotel.

Main Destination:

Musanze (City)

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-range lodge located in or near Musanze Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 8: Volcanoes National Park

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Volcanoes National Park for your first gorilla trek. You will arrive at the main office at 7:00 am for a short briefing and coffee break before going on your trek. Your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-range lodge located just outside Volcanoes NP

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 9: Musanze

Today you will visit the golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park. You will again have to be at the main office at 7:00 am for a short briefing before your trek. Return at lunchtime and then go visit the twin lakes of Burera and Ruhondo. Your overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Main Destination:

Musanze (City)

Accommodation: Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel

Mid-range lodge located in or near Musanze

Meals & Drinks:

All meals included

Drinks not included

Day 10: Musanze – Akagera National Park 

In the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Akagera National Park via Kigali. Here you will have lunch before driving into Akagera National Park. You will cruise to Lake Ihema in the afternoon and then go bird watching in Akagera. Your overnight stay will be at the lodge.

Accommodation: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge

Mid-range lodge located inside Akagera NP

View from the lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Day 11: Akagera National Park – Kigali

After breakfast, you will go on a game drive in the park. Akagera National Park is located in Eastern Rwanda on the border with Tanzania. African Parks is currently managing this park and has done a great job with the conservation. In the past, there were lots of conflicts between people and the park but this was solved by fencing off part of the park and the introduction of community tours where visitors are encouraged to visit the communities and benefit accordingly. Akagera National Park is the only Savannah park in Rwanda and is home to several mammal species. These include lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, Kobs, zebras, bush bucks, water bucks and most recently black rhinos have been introduced from South Africa. This makes Akagera National Park officially a Big Five park like it was many years ago. It is also home to numerous bird species in several habitats which include woodland, swamps, lakes and Savannah.

Main Destination: Kigali

Accommodation: 2000 Hotel

Mid-range hotel located in or near Kigali

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

Day 12: Kigali

After breakfast, and depending on your departure flight, you may go on a complimentary visit to the Ntarama Church. This was the site where more than 5,000 were killed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. This genocide memorial is located 30km south of Kigali in the Bugasera region. This church and its contents are a reminder of the horrifying violence that took place. Learn more about the unity and reconciliation commission while you are here.

Main Destination:

Kigali Genocide Memorial (Kigali)

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch (Breakfast & dinner not included)

Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

You’ll be dropped off at the airport.

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